Elena's POV For some reason, Julian remained quiet. I expected some hesitation, maybe even an argument, but Julian’s reaction still irritated me. The moment I laid out my plan—to expose Gina and use the truth of Lily’s miscarriage as leverage—Julian leaned back, crossing his arms over his chest, brows furrowed in deep thought. His hesitation was written all over his face, and I knew exactly what he was about to say before the words even left his mouth. "I don’t know if we should go through with this," he muttered, shaking his head. "Saxton’s Empire… I need their funding." Silence stretched across the room. For a second, I thought I’d misheard him. "Excuse me?" I said, my tone sharper than I intended. Julian sighed, rubbing his temples. "Look, Elena, I get it. Gina is dangerous, manipulative, and she’s hurt us all. But Saxton’s Empire is one of the biggest financial players in the country. I’ve been trying to get in negotiations with them for months now, trying to secure
Gina’s POVThe moment the call ended, a wave of dread settled in my chest, heavy and suffocating. I stood frozen, gripping the phone so tightly my knuckles turned white. Elena. I had spent months underestimating her. I had used her, twisted her loyalty, and made her my pawn. I never thought the day would come when she would turn on me, let alone hold something over my head. My past mistakes had finally caught up with me. I exhaled shakily, pacing back and forth across the room, the silky hem of my nightgown brushing against my legs. Should I tell Alex? No. That was out of the question. I couldn’t let him know. Not about the call. Not about what I did to Lily. Alex had always been unpredictable when it came to his morals—sometimes ruthless, other times irritatingly righteous. If he found out the truth, if he knew how far I had gone to destroy Lily, I had no idea how he would react. He had warned me severally to drop my revenge schemes, he even begged me that night. But
Gina's POVThe morning sun barely filtered through my bedroom curtains as I fastened the delicate clasp of my necklace. I had barely slept, my mind racing all night with thoughts of Elena and the impossible situation she had trapped me in. I told myself I could handle it. That I had faced worse threats before. But this wasn’t just about power or business. This was about survival. Just as I slipped on my heels, my phone vibrated on the nightstand. I already knew who it was before I picked it up. Elena.With a deep breath, I opened the message. “9 AM. Abandoned warehouse near the East Docks. Alone. Don’t make me regret giving you this chance.”My fingers clenched around the phone. The East Docks. Of course, she’d choose an isolated place. She wanted me cornered, helpless. But she had underestimated me. I would go. I had no choice. But I wouldn’t walk into her trap blindly. I was still lost in thought when the bedroom door opened, and I felt warm hands slide around my waist
Gina's POVI drummed my manicured nails against the polished surface of my desk, my patience thinning with each passing second. The digital clock on my desk read 9:45 AM, and for the past thirty minutes, I had been staring at my phone, half-expecting Elena to send another taunting message. But she didn’t. Was she testing me? Trying to unnerve me? I exhaled sharply. Fine. If she wanted me rattled, she’d be disappointed.Pressing the intercom button on my desk, I called my secretary. "Jenna, come in." A few seconds later, the door opened, and Jenna stepped inside, her tablet clutched against her chest. She was a diligent employee, sharp and efficient. "Yes, ma’am?" I stood, straightening my dress as I grabbed my purse. "I’m heading out for the day. If anyone asks for me, tell them to come back tomorrow." “But ma'am, we just started the day.” She said.“Let's just say, I have to go on an errand.”Jenna blinked in surprise but quickly nodded. "Understood. Should I reschedule
Gina's POVI watched as Elena cleared her throat, squaring her shoulders like I hadn’t just slapped the life out of her a moment ago. Impressive. Most people would’ve cowered by now. But she wasn’t most people. She smirked, brushing imaginary dust off her sleeve before tilting her chin up. "From today onwards, Gina," she said in a sickeningly sweet tone, "you’re going to obey my every word." I scoffed, folding my arms. "Oh? And why would I do that?" "Because," Elena said, her smirk widening, "if you don’t, I’ll expose everything. The world will know exactly what kind of woman you are. Your perfect little image? Gone. Your empire? Crushed. Even the little marriage you think you're proud of? Gone. I can imagine how Sir Alex will react to hearing all the malicious things his angelic wife has done in the name of revenge. And you will have no one to blame but yourself." I clenched my jaw, my nails digging into my palm. She was bluffing. She had to be. Still, I needed to know ex
Gina’s POVI exhaled sharply, my patience wearing thin as the voices around me clashed in another round of petty insults. Julian and Lily were ganging up like the pathetic duo they had always been, and Monica… well, she just stood there, soaking in the drama like a queen presiding over a circus. But then Elena snapped her fingers, and the room fell into silence. "Enough," she said, her voice firm. "We didn’t come here for all this bickering. Let’s get to business." I folded my arms, tilting my head slightly. "Oh? And what business would that be?" Elena smirked. "Simple. First, you’re going to sign a partnership deal with Julian’s company and assist him with funds." A sharp laugh escaped my lips before I could stop it. "Excuse me?" "You heard me." I shook my head in disbelief. "Elena, if this is some kind of joke, I’m not laughing." Elena leaned forward slightly, her eyes gleaming. "It’s not a joke, Gina. It’s a demand. And if you refuse, well… you already know the cons
Gina’s POVBy noon, I stepped back into my office, my heels clicking against the marble floor as I shut the door behind me. I exhaled sharply, rubbing my temples as I thought about everything Elena had told me to do. The walls of my office suddenly felt like they were closing in on me. No matter how powerful I was, how much control I had, Elena always had a way of making me feel like a pawn in a game I no longer knew the rules of. Sighing, I pulled my phone out of my bag and dialed Alex’s number. It rang twice before he answered. "Gina," his voice was cautious, and I knew why. Our last conversation hadn’t ended well. "I’ve made a decision," I said, keeping my tone firm. "I’m going into a partnership with Julian’s company." There was silence on the line. Then Alex let out a breathy chuckle. "Excuse me? I thought you said that company was barely surviving. That it wasn’t worth your time." "I changed my mind." "Why?" His voice lost its amusement. "Gina, what the hell are you
Gina's POV The soft ticking of the clock was the only sound in my office. I sat behind my glass desk, staring at the documents in front of me, but I wasn’t reading them. My mind was elsewhere, my thoughts circling around one unavoidable fact—Julian was coming. For months, he had been trying to force his way into my company, showing up unannounced, waiting for hours, only to leave when I refused to acknowledge him. He wanted to see me. He wanted to confront me. And now, he had found a way in. I took a slow breath and leaned back in my chair, steeling myself. Julian had always been relentless. He wasn’t the type to walk away easily. That was why I had to be stronger than him. A soft knock at the door pulled me from my thoughts. “Come in,” I called. Lisa, my secretary, peeked in. “Ma’am, Mr. Julian is here.” I exhaled through my nose. Right on time. “Send him in.” The door swung open, and Julian stepped inside, exuding the same arrogance he always had. His expensive suit
Gina's POV The morning sun spilled through the sheer curtains, casting golden streaks across the soft sheets. I stirred, my body still tingling from last night’s passion, my heart swelling with a sense of fulfillment I never thought possible. Alex was still asleep, one arm draped possessively over my waist, his bare chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm.I turned slightly to look at him. Even in sleep, he looked so peaceful—so *mine*. A small smile curved on my lips, and I carefully eased out of bed, not wanting to wake him. The cool air kissed my skin as I wrapped a silk robe around myself and padded across the room.The house was quiet, still wrapped in the serenity of morning. I made my way to the kitchen to fix a cup of tea. As I sipped it slowly, I couldn’t help but glance out the window. The estate was even more beautiful in the morning light. Birds flitted across the treetops, and the ocean glimmered in the distance, like a sheet of liquid glass.After finishing my tea,
Gina's POV It had been two days since we arrived at the estate, and I still woke up every morning feeling like I was living in a dream. The peace out here was different—softer, deeper. No emails to answer, no buzzing phones, no looming responsibilities. Just me, Alex, and the gentle lull of the sea beyond our window.That evening, golden sunlight poured through the wide kitchen windows, casting a warm amber glow across the polished marble counters. Alex stood next to me in an apron, his sleeves rolled up and a playful grin on his face as he tried to chop vegetables without losing a finger.“Careful,” I giggled, stepping closer and nudging his elbow. “That carrot’s not going to slice itself.”“Hey,” he protested with mock offense, “I’m improving.”“Oh really?” I raised an eyebrow. “Last night you burned the garlic bread.”“That was the oven’s fault,” he said, feigning innocence, then leaned in to kiss my cheek. “But I must say, cooking with my beautiful wife makes me a much better che
Gina's POV I couldn’t stop hugging Alex. Over and over again, I threw my arms around his neck, pressing myself against him as if I could somehow merge our souls together. My heart swelled with so much love and happiness that I thought I might burst. “I can’t believe this,” I whispered against his chest, inhaling his scent—warm, musky, and familiar. “I just… I never thought we’d get here.” Alex pulled back slightly, his hands cupping my face. His thumb traced the corner of my lips, and his deep blue eyes shimmered with affection. “Believe it, Gina. Because from now on, we’re together—*truly* together.” A fresh wave of emotion washed over me, but before I could say anything, Alex suddenly grinned. “We need to celebrate.” I raised an eyebrow. “Aren’t we already?” He chuckled, stepping away to retrieve a sleek black case from a nearby table. When he turned back around, he held up a bottle of champagne, its golden liquid glistening under the soft candlelight. I gasped. “You
Gina's POV The drive to the estate was nothing short of magical. With the countryside stretching out before us, golden fields bathed in sunlight and rolling hills fading into the horizon, I felt a sense of peace I hadn’t experienced in a long time. Alex had one hand on the wheel, his other hand reaching over to gently intertwine his fingers with mine. Every so often, he would glance at me, his eyes twinkling with mischief as he cracked one joke after another. I couldn’t stop laughing. “Okay, okay, stop! My cheeks are hurting,” I giggled, swatting at his arm playfully. “You love my jokes,” he smirked. I rolled my eyes but couldn’t deny it. He had a way of making me laugh so effortlessly, even when I least expected it. As the radio played a soft tune, Alex suddenly turned up the volume and grinned at me. “Come on, let’s sing!” I raised an eyebrow. “You *know* I can’t sing.” “That’s the fun part!” he teased. And just like that, we both burst into song, completely out o
Gina's POV The next afternoon, as I sat in the living room, sipping tea and flipping through a book, Alex walked in with a mischievous smile. "We’re leaving tomorrow," he announced. I raised a brow, setting my book aside. "Leaving? Where to?" "The estate," he said, walking over to sit beside me. He took my hand in his, gently rubbing circles against my palm. "I figured we could spend some time there alone, just the two of us. Consider it a romantic getaway." A rush of excitement flooded through me. I hadn’t even stepped foot in my grandfather’s estate yet, and now, Alex wanted to take me there for a whole week? "A vacation?" I beamed. He nodded. "Just you and me." I nearly squealed, throwing my arms around him. "That sounds amazing!" His deep chuckle vibrated against my chest as he hugged me back. As soon as I pulled away, I called for Lana. "We have to start packing!" ### **Packing for the Trip** Lana followed me upstairs, and as soon as we reached my room, I s
Gina's POV Ever since I returned from the hospital, Alex had been treating me like a delicate piece of glass. He barely let me lift a finger, always making sure I had everything I needed before I could even ask. At first, I appreciated his attentiveness, but after a while, it started to feel overwhelming. "Alex, I can do it myself," I protested one morning when he tried to help me put on my slippers. He ignored my complaint, slipping them onto my feet with ease. "You’re pregnant, Gina. You shouldn’t have to worry about anything." I rolled my eyes. "I’m not an invalid. I can still function, you know." He smirked but didn’t argue, simply brushing a kiss against my forehead before heading to the kitchen to prepare breakfast. This had been my life for the past few weeks—Alex doting on me as if I were royalty. I won’t lie; it felt good to be cared for, to be loved in a way I had never truly experienced before. But at the same time, it terrified me. Was he doing this because he
Gina's POV The air inside the car felt heavy as Alex and I rode home from the hospital. My hands rested gently over my stomach, still trying to grasp the reality of the life growing inside me. I should have been happy. This was supposed to be a moment of joy, of hope. Yet, deep inside, I felt something else—something dark, uncertain. The doctor had given me strict instructions—what to eat, what to avoid, when to come in for checkups. She had been reassuring, telling me that everything looked fine, that I was healthy. But none of it eased the fear that gnawed at my chest. Alex glanced at me as he drove. “You’ve been quiet,” he noted softly. I forced a small smile. “Just tired.” He reached for my hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. “We’ll get through this together.” I nodded but said nothing. When we arrived home, Lana was already waiting for us. Her eyes lit up with excitement as she rushed toward me. “Oh my God, Gina! I just heard!” she exclaimed, pulling me into a hug. “
Gina's POV As Alex and I stepped out of the courthouse, the blinding flashes of cameras assaulted my eyes. The air buzzed with urgency as reporters pushed microphones in our faces, bombarding us with an endless stream of questions. “Miss Saxton, how do you feel about the verdict?” “Do you think justice was truly served today?” “What are your plans for Julian’s company now that it’s been shut down?” "How do you feel about your family members being imprisoned?""What was your reaction when you found out that your sister was with your husband?"Their voices blurred together, a chaotic mixture of curiosity, speculation, and sensationalism. I kept my face expressionless, my lips pressed into a firm line as I walked forward. I had no interest in feeding the media frenzy. Alex, ever the protective force beside me, placed a firm hand on my lower back, guiding me through the throng of reporters. He shot a glare at one particularly aggressive journalist who tried to block our path.
Gina's POV Today was the day. I had waited for this moment for so long that it almost felt surreal. As I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, my mind replayed everything that had led up to this. The betrayals, the suffering, the fight for justice—it all came down to this one day. But before I could dwell too much on it, a wave of nausea hit me suddenly and violently. My stomach churned, and I barely had time to rush to the bathroom before I was kneeling over the toilet, vomiting. I gripped the sink afterward, breathing heavily as I wiped my mouth. What was that? I wasn’t sick. I wasn’t even nervous, not really. So why did my body react like this? A soft knock on the bathroom door made me turn. Lana, my personal assistant, peeked in, her face etched with concern. “Gina? Are you okay?” she asked, stepping closer. I forced a small smile. “I’m fine. Probably just the stress.” Lana didn’t look convinced, but she didn’t push further. Instead, she helped me freshen up befor